Egypt, EU assert commitment to countering terrorism

Egypt and the European Union on Tuesday asserted their commitment to countering terrorism which threatens the social fabric of countries across both sides of the Mediterranean.
This came in the EU-Egypt document of priorities for 2017-2020 which has been endorsed by both sides in Brussels earlier in the day.
The endorsement comes as part of the seventh session of the Association of EU-Egypt Council which convened earlier in the day under the co-chairmanship of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and EU High Representative for Foreign Foreign Policy and Security Federico Mogerini.
The two sides agreed that security is a shared objective. Terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism threaten the social fabric of nations across both sides of the Mediterranean. 
They pose a major threat to the security and well-being of our citizens. Combating these threats represents a common goal of the EU and Egypt who can cooperate through a comprehensive approach that will address the root causes of terrorism with due respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in order to successfully counter and prevent radicalization and promote socio-economic development, the document said.
The EU and Egypt remain committed to cooperating in fighting extremism and any form of discrimination, including Islamophobia and xenophobia.
Other fields of cooperation include, inter alia, strengthening the aviation security and protective security as well as the capacity to prevent and fight trans-national organised crime such as migrant smuggling, human trafficking, the illicit drugs trade and money laundering. 
Both parties agree to strengthen their cooperation in the area of the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Combating Illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, including through exchanging experiences, training and other capacity building activities.

Source: Mena